Timbuk2 cycling bags reviewed

There is no brand so synonymous with messenger bags as Timbuk2, and the original San Francisco company have a wide array of bags – not just messenger – on the market. We’ve put two of them to the test.

Classic Messenger bag review

Visit Timbuk2’s website and you’ll see that they have many messenger bags available, with numerous sizes and styles available, not to mention a very impressive array of colours.

Until getting this bag to test out I’d not ridden with a messenger style bag before – it had been rucksack all the way. It’s obviously clear why couriers choose to use them, as they are incredibly easy to access while cycling along and they are deceptively spacious as well.

I’ve previously thought that messenger bags look a little bit uncomfortable to cycle with, but I’ve been proven wrong. The strap is sturdy and well built, and pretty much non-slip, which is what I used to think would happen if I used one.

But it’s the sheer space that makes these bags so impressive. As you can see from the below picture there is room for your helmet, a pair of shoes and plenty more besides, so for commuters, these are a great alternative to a rucksack. I’m a sweaty cyclist unfortunately but the ‘sweaty-back-syndrome’ that I experience with a rucksack wasn’t seen with a messenger bag.

Other points

Buckles for lights, cameras

Truly high vis

Even a loop for your keys

At £70, the medium bag isn’t all that cheap, but it’s clearly durable and will last. What’s more, Timbuk2’s range is so vast and some bags are as little as £20. 5/5.

Q Laptop bag review

Timbuk2 aren’t just about messenger bags though. I’ve also been trying out their Q Laptop Bag, not as a laptop bag but as a rucksack for commuting. It seems clear to me that this is marketed as a laptop bag purely for the padding around the bag – which is excellent – but it’s an equally strong rucksack for commuting.

There are signs of inspiration from the messenger bags, as a side entry zip shows, but the bag also has lots of other compartments to help keep you organised, including a pocket that is purely for power leads. The side entry zip is, really, for your laptop, but it’s equally handy as a commuter.

Clips and compartments galore

As is fairly standard with other commuting rucksacks nowadays, there are external clips for lights to keep you seen, although it must be said that as with Timbuk2’s messenger bags, there are some impressive colours available.

A separate ‘net bag’, on the rear of the main compartment, can be used for many thing, but for me worked well as a place for my wet towel.

I mention above my suffering from sweaty back syndrome, and while this bag doesn’t alleviate that problem entirely, the vented back panels do help keep perspiration fairly minimal in that area.

Price

At £70, the Q rucksack is another pricey bag, but it shares the Timbuk2 qualities of robustness and rigour. It’s clearly durable, so will stand the test of time.

Other pointers

Loads of space, whether carrying a laptop or not

Plenty of compartments to keep things organised

High vis, and made from durable ballistic nylon

4/5 (price the only slight downpoint)

Overall

Timbuk2 have a wide array of bags available for sale and if the two that we’ve tried out are anything to go by, then you can expect similarly high quality from the others.

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As a side note, all Timbuk2 bags are guaranteed for LIFE… I recently returned my 1994 Messenger Bag to San Francisco as it was beginning to fall apart at the seams. It was returned within a couple of weeks not only re-stitched but with a full new lining and accessories- I had lost the reflectors etc. Customer Service was quick and friendly (dude). Amazing fantastic company and products- BUY ONE!

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